Samaldas Gandhi (Aged 56), born in 1897, was an Indian independence activist who led the Aarzi Hukumat or Temporary Government of the princely state of Junagadh. He was the son of Laxmidas/Kalidas Karamchand Gandhi, the elder brother of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement. Samaldas was a close follower of his uncle, Mohandas, and initially worked for the Gujarati evening newspaper, Janmabhoomi. However, due to some differences, he left Janmabhoomi and started a new newspaper named “Vande Mataram”.
In 1947, when the Nawab of Junagadh acceded his state to Pakistan, Samaldas headed a government-in-exile created by citizens of Junagadh to represent the wishes of its majority population, who wanted the state to become part of India instead. When Indian forces entered Junagadh and its principalities, Mangrol and Manavadar, at the invitation of the Nawab’s dewan, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, Samaldas was invited to take control of the state, but he deferred to the Government of India.
Samaldas Gandhi is widely remembered in Junagadh and the state of Gujarat today as a hero and patriot. There are several schools, public foundations, and hospitals named after him. The Mumbai landmark Princess Street (Mumbai) has been renamed as Samaldas Gandhi Marg. He passed away by 1953.
Samaldas Gandhi
(1897 – 1953) – (Gujarart)
Samaldas Gandhi (Aged 56), born in 1897, was an Indian independence activist who led the Aarzi Hukumat or Temporary Government of the princely state of Junagadh. He was the son of Laxmidas/Kalidas Karamchand Gandhi, the elder brother of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement. Samaldas was a close follower of his uncle, Mohandas, and initially worked for the Gujarati evening newspaper, Janmabhoomi. However, due to some differences, he left Janmabhoomi and started a new newspaper named “Vande Mataram”.
In 1947, when the Nawab of Junagadh acceded his state to Pakistan, Samaldas headed a government-in-exile created by citizens of Junagadh to represent the wishes of its majority population, who wanted the state to become part of India instead. When Indian forces entered Junagadh and its principalities, Mangrol and Manavadar, at the invitation of the Nawab’s dewan, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, Samaldas was invited to take control of the state, but he deferred to the Government of India.
Samaldas Gandhi is widely remembered in Junagadh and the state of Gujarat today as a hero and patriot. There are several schools, public foundations, and hospitals named after him. The Mumbai landmark Princess Street (Mumbai) has been renamed as Samaldas Gandhi Marg. He passed away by 1953.
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